THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is committed to continuing its support to the National Assembly, especially in the areas of improving governance and assisting the Parliament Office in its quest to reduce its paper use. This was disclosed by Ms. Jessica Faieta, United Nations Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director of the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, when she called on Speaker of the National Assembly Barton Scotland in the Speaker’s Chamber, Public Buildings, Brickdam on Thursday.Ms. Faieta, who is in Guyana for a joint meeting between CARICOM and the United Nations, took the opportunity to congratulate the Speaker on his election to office and briefed him on the UNDP’s work to increase citizen democracy (citizen participation in governance of their country) in several countries. She expressed the hope that this work could also be done in Guyana.
Speaker Scotland thanked her for her visit and assured her that the Parliament Office is keen on continuing its partnership with the UNDP. In responding to Ms. Faieta’s queries on Guyana’s plans for constitutional reform, he said there are a number of areas in the Constitution that can benefit from reform. He said he therefore envisages a lot of work to be done in the 11th Parliament.
Though Ms. Faieta has visited Guyana on many occasions, she had never viewed the Parliament Chamber; she was therefore taken on a brief tour of the Chamber after which she signed the ceremonial visitor’s book.
Through the assistance of the UNDP, the Parliament of Guyana enhanced its capacity to discharge its constitutional functions – by passing quality legislation, improving its oversight of the executive branch of Government in the delivery of services, and implementing law. The UNDP has also been continuously providing procedural training for staff through attachments with other Parliaments.